Potato Aphid
Macrosiphum euphorbiae
Overview
The Potato Aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) is a pest of many crops such as potato, rose, tomato, eggplant, chrysanthemum and lettuce.
Adult Potato Aphids are large, measuring approximately 4.0 mm. They are a green or pinkish colour and have two long, green projections on their abdomens (siphunculi) and a long tail (cauda).
Winged Potato Aphid adults are green, whereas Green Peach Aphids are blackish.
Why you need to control Potato Aphid
You will find Potato Aphid on young parts of your plants, but also lower down the plant canopy. The aphid is very active and can spread within your crop quite quickly. Unless you act quickly to control Potato Aphids, you could experience widespread crop damage from the honeydew formed and the resulting sooty mould.
In potato, Potato Aphids cause curled tops which can look like the Potato Leaf Roll Virus.
In tomato they can often be found on the lower parts of the plant, on leaves, and on the main stem.
Beneficial predators to control Potato Aphid among crops
Potato Aphids can be controlled by Aphidius ervi (Ervi) and Aphelinus abdominalis (Aphelinus). Predators such as ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies are also helpful in regulating aphid populations.
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To speak with one of our qualified consultants about your current commercial crop challenge or to learn about the benefits of the IPM maintenance and monitoring services we provide, contact us.
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